The Restaurant at the Ballard Inn
is one of the most intimate and romantic dining destinations
in the Santa Ynez Valley. With just 12 tables, soft music,
candle light, and a roaring fireplace, the atmosphere
is elegant and comfortable. And the food is wonderful, Chef Budi Kazali has been named CCM® 's Ultimate Chef. Come see for yourself!

Our servers are eager to help guests relax and enjoy what is sure to be a memorable dining experience. They will help you navigate the extensive wine list, replete with local and international offerings, for the perfect wine to compliment your meal.

Chef Budi Kazali's award winning French Asian cuisine melds the flavors and techniques of eastern and western cuisines to create mouthwatering dishes to please the most distinguished diners.

A “wine country must” attest oenophiles of this “unbelievable find” in Ballard – voted No. 1 for Food in Santa Barbara – showcasing chef-owner Budi Kazali’s “talent in the kitchen” with “sophisticated” Asian-inflected New French fare crafted from “fresh” ingredients and complemented by a lengthy list of “local” vintages; the “intimate” setting with a “roaring fireplace” is elevated by “superb” service, making the entire “dining adventure” an “extremely pleasant” “getaway.”

Before taking over the stoves at The Ballard Inn & Restaurant in 2004, Chef Kazali, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, worked in some of the best restaurants on the West and East Coasts. Early in his career he worked in San Francisco’s renowned La Folie and the boutique Campton Place hotel.
After relocating to Boston, Chef Kazali helped to open the James Beard Award winning Blue Ginger with Chef Ming Tsai, where he gained expertise in melding the flavors of Eastern and Western cuisines. After five years at Blue Ginger, Chef Kazali returned to San Francisco, and refined his proficiency with French cuisine and technique at the acclaimed Restaurant Gary Danko.

At Ozumo, a lively and upscale Japanese restaurant, Chef Kazali returned to his appreciation and dedication to producing fine Asian cuisine.

Finally, with his own Ballard Inn & Restaurant, Chef Kazali brings his vast experience to light in his own innovative way, creating memorable and delicious dishes to please the most discriminating palates.